Pictures: http://librarypathwaysandfootprints.blogspot.ca/2012/11/freedom-of-expression-exhibit-runs-at.html
NEWS RELEASE
An International Editorial Cartoon Exhibit at the Maskwachis College in Hobbema
Hobbema (AB) November 5, 2012— Maskwachis College will present an international editorial cartoon exhibit entitled Freedom of Expression in Broad Strokes from November 5-30 in the Peter Bull Memorial Library.
The traveling exhibit was put together by the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom.
"The editorial cartoon offers a daily commentary on a current news event. Through satire, humour and caricature, the cartoonists offer a unique point of view. Freedom of expression is as critical to the cartoonist's work as it is to all journalists. The exhibit presents many facets of freedom of expression and freedom of the press as depicted by cartoonists from around the world", said David A. Walden, Secretary-General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.
Since 2001, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom (CCWPF) have organized an annual international competition for editorial cartoonists in conjunction with the awarding of the CCWPF Press Freedom Award to a Canadian journalist who has suffered in the cause of press freedom. Over 700 cartoons are received each year, and the winners are honoured in Ottawa on World Press Freedom Day. The exhibit presents the best editorial cartoons received since the beginning of the competition.
In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly declared 3 May as World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Day is also now used to draw attention to the dangers faced by journalists when reporting the news. According to the organization Reporters without Borders, 66 journalists were killed (16% more than in 2010), 1,044 journalists were arrested, 1,959 journalists, including cartoonists, were physically attacked or threatened, and 71 journalists were kidnapped in 2011.
-30-
Further information:
Contact person in Hobbema is Ms. Patricia Littlechild-Goodwill at Maskwachis College
or Manisha Khetarpal at librarieshelppeople@gmail.com
Pauline Dugré, Communication and Information Programme Officer, Canadian Commission for UNESCO, 1-800-263-5588 ext. 4558 or 613-513-8902
